Ever stay (with kids) and not go to parks?

[BlakeNJ]

We have a (very) last minute trip planned for November for DH, myself, DS5, DD3 & DD>1. DVC is booked for our stay Nov. 8-11. I will most likely put us on the waitlist for a studio but it seems like a lost cause at this late point in the game. I have booked a room at Pop for these dates as a backup. We have never stayed at a value and for a last minute trip, I feel lucky just to be going! We do not plan on visiting the parks to keep the costs down. We plan on taking advantage of everything "free" or inexpensive to do at WDW. With all these factors in mind, do you think it would be best to stay at Pop for the advantage of being on property without a car or stay at Downtown Disney as a "better" hotel for the same $$$?

Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks,
Blakely

 

[veenstra56]

Yes, we've done it. Just this past April we stayed at SSR and did not attend any park, even though we had tickets left from previous stays. It was during Spring Break and we just wanted to relax and not fight the crowds.

In the end, it was one of the very best vacations we've ever taken. (In fact, we loved SSR so much we did an add-on there shortly after the trip.) There seemed to be plenty to do, with the pools, Downtown Disney (theater, shopping, dining), bike rentals, and activities for our girls at Community Hall.

I definitely think that you can really enjoy yourselves without going to the parks. There is plenty to do, and after all ,it's all about quality family time.

In regards to where to stay: if your choice is between the All Stars and Downtown Disney, I personally would stay at the Downtown Hilton before the All Stars. The Hilton offers Extra Magic Hours and bus service, and the rooms are MUCH nicer and roomier. The Hilton pool area is also very nice. Plus you would be staying right across the street from DTD, so it is also more convenient than the All Stars.

Good luck, and have fun no matter where you choose to stay.

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

No we never have, but last year we went week before presidents week, week of presidents week and week after. We skipped a few days during presidents week due to crowd levels and just hit the pools and the boardwalk.

 

[fedexreg]

DW, two DD, and DS returned from a five night stay at SSR on 9/21 and did nothing inside the parks. Three days were spent at the pool, enjoying it very much! The afternoon bingo game for $1 was cool!

One evening was spent at DTD just walking around, enjoying some ice cream from that place I cannot spell.

One afternoon, DD and I spent some time at the monorail station at the GF just waiting to ride in the front (something we never get to do on other trips).

It was the most relaxing time and highly recommend it to anyone. You don't have to go to the parks everytime - there are plenty of time consuming things to do that cost very little and the resorts are wonderful to enjoy when time doesn't matter.

Good luck!

 

[BlakeNJ]

Thanks everyone for your replies. This is what I wanted to hear. There is so much more to do at WDW. I believe another website even has a list of free/cheap things to to at WDW. We did Chip and Dales Campfire Sing-along on year and loved it. It's absolutely free! We've never done miniature golf at Fantasia Gardens so that's another reasonably inexpensive things to do. I think we're going to have a great time just hanging out and relaxing. If only we could get into a DVC resort...

Blakely

 

[OlderMan]

We haven't gone to any park for over 6 years.

We enjoy the pool, arcade, shuffleboard courts, etc at OKW.

It's a vacation--even though we live about an hour away--so, we don't feel the need to be doing something all the time.

Besides, our DD's enjoy Seaworld more than Disney! Let's face it, unless there is a major renovation, most attractions don't change from visit to visit. With Seaworld, and live animals, no two shows are ever the same.

JMHO...

 

[snowbunny]

Yes, did it for a week in July with two kids. We strolled the boardwalk at night, swam, played miniature golf at Winter/Summerland. It was fun.

 

[veenstra56]

Thanks everyone for your replies. This is what I wanted to hear. There is so much more to do at WDW. I believe another website even has a list of free/cheap things to to at WDW. We did Chip and Dales Campfire Sing-along on year and loved it. It's absolutely free! We've never done miniature golf at Fantasia Gardens so that's another reasonably inexpensive things to do. I think we're going to have a great time just hanging out and relaxing. If only we could get into a DVC resort...

Blakely

Is this the site you were referring to? www.mousesavers.com/freestuff.html

I wouldn't give up hope completely on a DVC resort. If you haven't done this already, I would definitely waitlist... you never know. Also, monitor the boards for someone looking to rent out their reservation. As long as you have a backup reservation, why not?

Good luck!

 

[dvcbnd]

We have gone down and have just gone to one park (and not necessarily always a disney park). We often talk about going down and just relaxing. We always find friends and family saying "how can you keep going to WDW year after year - it's so expensive and exhausting?"
There is so much to do w/o having to spend alot of money and exhausting yourself. Especially at the DVC resorts. We have also made it a family tradition to rent a pontoon on every trip. We pack lunch and take the boat out for a very relaxing and enjoying time with our family. We have done this at all the resorts where it's offered. We love it!!!